93 Year Old Irish Soldier describes World War One, 1988

Jack Campbell of The Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 16th Irish Division on Ireland's 'The Late Late Show'.
Dubliner Jack Campbell, Ireland's last "Old Contemptible" served in the Great War with four of his older brothers. He was gassed during the course of the war.
He died in Leopardstown Hospital on the 18th November 1992 aged 97.

[@dermotosullivan3065]

He was 93 in this interview and it's incredible how mentally alert and articulate he is.

[@ciaran4550]

He said he was 16 when he enlisted, earliest he listed was 1914, so he was at most 90 in this interview

[@Iazzaboyce]

@S.K 123 That's correct he says he's an 'Old Contemptible' These were the first soldiers to land in France and were 'Regular Army' serving soldiers (non-conscripted).

[@liamoloveboxing6844]

Brilliant I love too see the whole interview very interesting my great grandfather fought in the same war and lived through it and was lucky enough to come home to Dublin 8,RIP to all the men that fought for there families too put food on the tables of there wife's and kids, plus the men that fought for are freedom 1916,1920,22

[@heritage195]

@@dermotosullivan3065 He wor the 1914/1915 Star.

[@jeffsams2834]

@@dermotosullivan3065 What Facebook page do you refer to? I'd like to see it.

[@wicklowtownireland2110]

He passed away at 97, four years after this interview. RIP jack

[@dean4553]

He was 93 in this? Fuckin hell if he said he was 65 id half believe him

[@Jerry-fg6si]

F

[@dannyneville1310]

@@MarlboroughBlenheim1 He said he was 16 when signing up to the army.

[@MarlboroughBlenheim1]

@@dannyneville1310 yes you’re right. I’m being dim.

[@lynnemurphy114]

💚💚💚

[@dub16100]

The interviewer did a great job of asking a question and then shutting up. I wish today’s hosts would learn from this guy.

[@ww3032]

He's a very classy gentleman. Love the way he spoke, and carried himself and interacted with the interviewees.

[@gwjbyrne]

That was Gay Byrne. A giant of the talkshow industry

[@sethlawson8544]

To be honest I thought he was a bad interviewer, he constantly asked closed ended questions like "how many", "how far", yes/no etc. It's just that the interviewee was a good story teller and carried it.

[@DontLetTheOldManIn]

Amen. Sheesh. Patience is a rare trait.

[@Natasha___.]

@@gwjbyrne any relation to you Garry? I bet you've been called big "GAY" Byrne a few times lol

[@Jack-jo2zy]

These men saw the worst of the worst, huge respect

[@anthonyjohnson9185]

And best of the best sometimes

[@johnhardiman8192]

Well put, huge respect.

[@RichardSparks-qy2rd]

They told you to see the world, looking back at WWI war was glamorized as a time of heroics and liberation from your oppressors a noble cause indeed A new adventure awaited those who probably had gone no further than the outskirts of their hometown. Oh, the glamor and those fancy uniforms, young pretty women handing you flowers, and the whole town coming out to say goodbye. Getting on the train with your head out the window looking back at everybody as they fade into the distance. Nervous excitement fills the train as men wonder what lies ahead, as those in charge tell you that you will be home by Christmas. Then cold hard reality hits as the rains come down upon you as you are digging out the trenches of your new home. All of a sudden there is a loud piercing noise as a whistle is blown alerting the next group of men to climb the ladder and head into battle. As they scramble out of the trenches bullets are flying everywhere, there is a loud din of noise as mortars and bombs dropped by airplanes fall all around you even though they are still in the trench. Minutes go by that seem like hours and you wonder when the men who left the trenches will return. An hour or two goes by and you think in your mind they haven't come back because they must have broken through enemy lines. Reality begins to sink in as you realize those men are not coming back. Water continues to pool up around you and before you know it is above your knees. You try and find a warm place to sleep amidst all the mortars and shells going off. You wake in the morning and a hot stench fills the air as you wonder what it is and where it is coming from. You go up and down the trench line asking people what the smell is but nobody says a thing. You come across a man with tears in his eyes and a forlorn look on his face he gives you the answer that you so desperately want to know. He tells you the smell you smell is from the rotting flesh of men, no not just any men but your brothers, friends, and schoolmates who proudly wore that uniform. Men lay dead with a dream of seeing the world, their faces lay deep in the mud as you peek over the trench hoping one of your friends is alive. The only thing you can see moving that is alive is the rats as they scurry from body to body in search of food. Reality then hits you hard knowing that what they told you and what you believed was all a lie. Day after day the rains pour down where once the water came up to your knees is now up to your hips with no relief. Rats are not only on the battlefield but in the trenches, with the same determination you had in killing the enemy you decide it is time for the rats to die. You grab the gun that is laying in the water next to you and with anger over the death of those you loved you raise it into the air and kill the rats with the butt of your gun. You lay down your head exhausted by another day of the war, suddenly you awaken as snowflakes fall from the sky. As you doze off into the night with the snow falling you think to yourself Christmas must be near. The words of the military leaders come back to you if it is snowing and Christmas is near, then war must be coming to an end. As you wake up from your hazy night of sleep you are greeted by two feet of snow. You are wet and freezing and think to yourself how can it get much worse can it get. Suddenly a noise above you catches your attention as enemy soldiers are shooting at you and jumping into the trench and you are forced to engage them in hand-to-hand combat. Unknowingly you are struck in the head by the butt of an enemy soldier's rifle as you lay there floating on the water wondering whether you are alive or dead. All of sudden your alarm clock goes off and you are awakened from a deep sleep staring at the ceiling and trying to get your bearings. Moments later you realize that it was all a bad dream. As you get out of bed to get dressed you find yourself standing in a pool of water next to your wet boots.

[@NoRockinMansLand]

And they would be disgusted to see the far right fascists glamorizing war as a part of their culturali identity. Pure insanity

[@NoRockinMansLand]

​@@RichardSparks-qy2rd wow, that was amazing. Did you write this yourself? Mate you should be an author, I was honestly captivated

[@alecaquino4306]

When a man like this speaks, you stay silent and listen to every word.

[@alecaquino4306]

@Leo D'Arcy Then you missed the point of my statement entirely.

[@hmmminteresting2451]

I was hanging on every word this man said, incredible what they went through. Look at all bullshit people get upset about today.

[@davidkreutzer4778]

@@alecaquino4306 , I agree ! And yeah , Leo didn't get your comment at all !!

[@taco2947]

Absolutely

[@RapidVidsProductions]

i bet you're used to staying silent

[@xpat73]

You know why this is a great interview? He shuts up and lets the man talk. Some modern interviewers could learn a thing or two from him.

[@sentimentaloldme]

I remember watching this interview. It's from Irish T.V. "The Late Late Show". Must be at least 40 years old. Gay Byrne was the best interviewer not alone in Ireland but probably in the whole world. R.I.P. Gay..The main reason why I hardly ever watch T.V. now days.

[@Awakeningspirit20]

Omg yeah they'd try to make it all about modern stuff, "so, when you were in the trenches, did you ever once think about the role of systematic racism in the war, I mean you Irish were a lot like the Africans and Indians brought in from other parts of the empire, did you ever once think..."

[@jixuscrixus1967]

Gay Byrne passed in late 2019, I think he was 85 or thereabouts....

[@patrickf2671]

Gay Byrne was probably the most popular man in Ireland when he was alive

[@davesaunders3334]

​@@Awakeningspirit20 Racist.

[@johnsheahan2437]

This is the sort of person you want on your side. They should never be forgotten.

[@paddy864]

Sadly though, they WERE forgotten, written out of Irish history after 1922 as if they had never existed and were not worthy of remembrance.

[@jimmymcguire8217]

Its up to us to ensure generations to come remember these brave men and explain as best we can their point of view

[@tommiller4749]

Wow what a gentlemen.!!!!!!

[@paddy864]

@@jimmymcguire8217 I agree, but it's an uphill struggle I'm afraid. Newly independent Ireland started re-writing it's recent history almost before the last of these brave men had returned home and the narrative had already turned against them. I suppose it was too uncomfortable for the new state to contemplate the fact that for every man that joined the IRA in that period about ten times as many joined the British Army. I think there were 11,000 who joined in 1918 alone, and something like 20,000 in 1921!

[@app1esuk]

well said

[@johnw359]

"Without favour, affection, malice or ill will". Rolled of the tongue of a man in his 10th decade. Wow

[@louisehogg8472]

Was that a quote from his army training? Or from a book?

[@Jean-rg4sp]

@@louisehogg8472 It is common wording in oaths of allegiance to a monarch used by the military and police in English-speaking countries.

[@DavidWilliams-yc2ni]

But,it was said with honour and belief. More importantly, it was acted out in real time under war time in real conditions. Therein,lies the rub.

[@James-e3g]

Real sharp fella

[@hirdy161]

I've never seen an interview with a real WW1 veteran before. Brilliant.

[@paddy864]

I suggest you search on You Tube for the 1960's TV series "The Great War" then, it has dozens of them,.

[@paulmcateer1595]

Look up the late Harry Patch. He was the last surviving soldier of WW1. A very wise man who lived to be 111 years old.

[@heritage195]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpPXYqyZpcqtpJI&pbjreload=101

[@peterfeeney721]

Proper Soldier. If only I had ever been that good ...

[@georgeharryarmstrong5758]

Thankfulness to his exertion.

[@bozothedog9024]

Best line in the interview is when Jack talks about joining the Army, "I thought I was going to see the world but I damn near saw the second world". How dapper and smart he looked for a 93 year old, sharp as a tack, died in 1992, age 97. He was also an Old Contemptible which means he was one of the first soldiers in France in August 1914.

[@tristanlange4751]

RIP

[@Dizzle7771]

RIP x

[@richardhumphrys7907]

Pub in Birmingham named the Old Contemptible’s.

[@bertiescunsbutch9323]

God bless him , he must have seen some terrible things.

[@fiacradoyle7474]

He joined at sixteen he said so he could only have been 90 during the interview no I know it says on the video 93.

[@MrPacproductions]

To be killed in action is one thing, but when he described the young man who died from the rat bite, that got to me. No one deserves to die like that.

[@paulmcgrath6118]

Yeah that was nasty

[@redtobertshateshandles]

Mums dad got gassed and died of ruined health at home.

[@barryalexander2909]

A pre antibiotic death sentence. Most likely necrotising fasciitis.

[@Elcapitaan5]

Sadly,more died from non action causes such as exposure,starvation,disease or chronic illness etc in the two world wars. Then again,is there really a good way to die?

[@gangstagamegangstagame4467]

Terrifying

[@jmitterii2]

I love how he talks so quick and swift... most elderly at that age, the conversations are slow and often painfully slow... this guy is like a fire hydrant of recollections... a historical goldmine.

[@caiuscosades1791]

He's more switched on than me in this and I'm 22.

[@krzysztofklimczak8297]

All these years of whisky embalming kept him in good shape 😂.

[@fred8886]

Actually I had to slowed down this video while usually I speed them 😂

[@seanfitzgerald5858]

All the old people were like that full of good talk. Not like the fuckin' idiots we have knocking around today.

[@redsky106]

He speaks like a 21 year old ,,,sharp as a tack ,,,,,,for his age that’s very rare…..

[@gerardcollins80]

"I went there to see the world and I dam near saw the second world." God bless him, at least he has a sense of humour about it.

[@JW-xj1yf]

Yes that leapt out to me as well.

[@sartainja]

He is a character with big brass balls. G-d bless him.

[@ChaNnArD-mD]

He wasn't trying to be funny when he said rats would steal his food.🐀🐀🐀

[@TheSubpremeState]

The world is better

[@MichaelJ44]

All truth

[@GlennDavey]

Can you imagine how sparky this kid was back in the war if this is what he were like at 93?

[@MegaMecoso]

They don't make them like this anymore

[@ThisAintNews]

Amen.

[@GlennDavey]

@@hallerd I'm imagining a slight young feller, fleet of foot, probably dodged more punches than he threw. Seems like a good lad who went on to live a good life. It's true they don't forge them like this anymore.

[@NoOneLikesVegans]

Nowadays they'd label him ADHD and try to medicate him for it.

[@theothertonydutch]

​@@MegaMecoso I know a guy who saw action in afghanistan and iraq. Kind of like this guy.

[@airstrip1836]

I like the way the interviewer just let him talk.

[@will4807]

As he should have.

[@peteroneill5426]

Gay Byrne was in a league of his own!

[@patrickmcgrath726]

Absolutely Gay was a different class, seems so simple but so many just don't get it right, imagine Tubs interviewing him, constantly butting in with stupid jokes and remarks

[@crispay8304]

@@peteroneill5426 agreed

[@adamg8920]

Ask a questions and listen to the reply as it should be and wait until hes finished then ask another 👍

[@dannycarter3647]

Its for gents like this that we wear poppy's and remember every November. He was a proud Irishman who served in the British Army through choice, not through conscription. Thank you Jack and all Irish folk who have served in the British military.

[@electriceyeslide5959]

In 1982, I was 9 years old, I met a man who was 93. He was born in 1889. He was an old cowboy. I’m blessed to have met someone who was born in the 1800s in my lifetime.

[@andrewe.8373]

Something I’ll never know. The oldest person I’ve ever met was born in 1916.

[@julioalmanza8090]

Thats cool man.

[@electriceyeslide5959]

@@andrewe.8373 Still pretty amazing when you think about it.

[@HIDHIFDB]

80`s and early 90`s boys where blessed to meet those people from other era when i was a kid i meet lots of really old people that fighted in the revolution war of mexico, is kind of weird how mentally strong they where becuase all the devastation they saw in their lifes.

[@Pokefan3332]

The oldest person I ever met in my life was my great great grandmother who was born in 1912

[@snafflefilms]

This interview needs to be preserved for all of history...

[@demorik6794]

Well it is now. It's on the internet.

[@Mescalito27]

It is

[@I-wont-read-your-replies]

Is the internet no longer sufficient?

[@korvkorv532]

Before long KZbin will age restrict it and demand you put in your CC details, so they can use them against you for something probably, in order to view it.

[@showbizsam4440]

@@demorik6794 Just wait until the channel gets 3 strikes for offensive dancing and it'll all be gone.

[@dyates6380]

This guy is more of a man than I could ever dream of being.

[@nobody-ly9ef]

Me too.

[@carlitosd671]

Me too

[@CDTJosh]

Man up. The worlds going to shit. I dont need girly, weak minded men next to me if we have to go into a world war.

[@dyates6380]

@@CDTJosh LOL. Yes sir. Forgive me sir. You couldn't even realize it was a post meant to respect this man, but stay put with the keyboard man cheerleading. What a clown.

[@jays9869]

@@CDTJosh Your words make you sound like a complete meathead, my guy. Exactly the type that the Army wants in their Frontline infantry.

[@MrLoobu]

Damn, he takes the cake for the quickest, most mentally capable 90+ year old man Ive ever heard.

[@JohnMcMahon.]

I am deadly serious, I could sit and listen to that man for days and days and days.. I’d love to have known Jack or any of the old generation from that time. There were many young Irish men like Jack that fought in both World wars, many paid the ultimate sacrifice and it’s a shame they were left in Limbo by their own government and the British government.. It doesn’t Matter if you’re an Irish nationalist or a British unionist or anything in between. Those boys need to be honoured & remembered. Most were young lads looking for adventure and earnings, it wasn’t political for the lads in the trenches.. Total respect from a Belfast Nationalist.

[@connorthekid1]

Well said 👏👏

[@Ogma3bandcamp]

Well said.

[@davidholden9045]

Couldn't agree more and that's coming from an Englishman

[@chriswright6245]

Well said.

[@darrenwalshe8513]

Its such a shame brave men like Jack risking their lives for the elite and then forgotten, war is always about money n never freedom thats a spiel told to the working man! 😢

[@CoolDrifty]

One can only hope to have this level of mental clarity at his age

[@SKSillSKSill]

You got that right! 😂 👍🏻 I was just thinking the same thing.

[@ericthompson3402]

I should be so lucky!

[@jasonrulode7212]

I would be happy with half his honestly. Most people in their 80s don't speaks nearly as articulately with their families and yet he is doing so in an interview at 93... It's something to aspire to, not just to be alive for so long, but to be living life for so long. A big difference.

[@user-yw3cy8pn3b]

Those that have recently taken one or more CoViD "vaccine" will not come close to living to this mans age, according to Mike Yeadon who was the chief scientist at Pfizer these people have 2-3 years to live.

[@CoolDrifty]

@@user-yw3cy8pn3b mike yeadon is a crackpot that didn’t even work in vaccine research, he wasn’t even the chief scientist of Pfizer lol

[@georginathompson3788]

As he’s talking it’s as if he’s alive today. It brings history closer. So fortunate this interview was taken.

[@1yearago491]

Completely agree

[@jiveassturkey8849]

See the documentary “They Shall Not Grow Old.” It’s completely modernized and colorized footage of WWI with voiceovers of several real WWI vets being interviewed. It is really good.

[@georginathompson3788]

@@jiveassturkey8849 need to check it out, thank you. My great great grandad and great grandad fought in WW1 and WW2. Both survived. My great grandad was taken as a PoW and managed to escape by digging his way out of prison. There must be so many similar remarkable stories.

[@jiveassturkey8849]

Georgina Thompson wow that’s cool. Several generations of my family fought in every American war going back to the Civil War in the 1860s. My dad was in Vietnam, both grandfathers were in WWII. I had a great uncle in WWI, and at least 3 of my 3x great grandfathers fought in the American Civil War (in both sides), i however didn’t do anything lol.

[@georginathompson3788]

@@jiveassturkey8849 Oh wow! I find the civil war really fascinating. There are some videos on KZbin of civil war veterans taken in the early 1900s. There’s also a video of a man who saw John Wilkes Booth assassinate Abraham Lincoln. I think it was filmed in the 30 or 40s. That means that our old generation alive today would have met people alive in the 1800s, they too could have met people born in the very late 1700s.

[@wozabrown]

This solid man is a Irish legend 👍👍💪💪

[@galwaytribesman9289]

How is he a legend serving the British army. He was a traitor to Ireland.

[@ripstop5122]

People throw the word “hero” today like confetti..this is what it means to be a hero

[@joseocasio7705]

Yeah like athletes making millions of $$ r called Hero for playing a Fuckkkk sport unbelievable smh

[@ripstop5122]

@Will Swift Well lets thank our lucky stars they did, otherwise we wouldn't have the freedoms and trappings the western world now bestowes on us. what challenge has anyone really faced since 1950? how would we react today if we had to do the same to protect our freedoms, could we really count on the masses to drag themselves away from thier box set binge-watches, remember they gave their lives to give you the platform to comment. Unless you have served, you will never understand or appreciate the real cost and what these veterans fought and died for.

[@ripstop5122]

@Will Swift and also dont forget ladies and gentleman that the earth is flat :)

[@BeezyNgeezY-ul1nu]

I think you took the wrong message from this. Listen to his response after asked what his attitude was. First He said he was loyal and when he demonstrated no one deserted he remarked "That's loyalty" and he paused. The interviewer made a very shrewd observation that he could relate that loyalty by asking about the Germans jack shot. Where did loyalty lead him and his pals (and, ostensibly, the Germans)? His answer --> "Kill or be killed, there was no remorse". I think this can be seen as "There were no heroes, just men doing what they were asked of them"

[@Prez-B]

@Leo D'Arcy I think that was his point

[@capkarr]

Best history is from men like this... What a privilege to hear this man.

[@SKSillSKSill]

I agree Brett. I love watching these videos of real men and women who know what real hardships are. Most people these days take everything for granted.

[@betteroffdead]

@@SKSillSKSill I believe that there should be so much more content, like this. Documenting all the small minutiae that text books leave out. This rich content so much more assists in the rich texture of history.

[@SKSillSKSill]

@@betteroffdead For sure. I agree.

[@danielfox3276]

Well said Brett

[@JackMehoffV]

that plot twist when he was in dublin was perfect

[@colddiesel]

"Without favour or affection, malice or ill will." A fine quote and epitaph, from a universal soldier. RIP.

[@MidnightPolaris800]

wats favour

[@JP-xd6fm]

@@MidnightPolaris800 approval, support, or liking for someone or something.

[@pellaxestorba4836]

Would have been far better that they had never killed their fellowman in the first place. But see what happened when they trusted their anti-human governments. At least the foreign arms dealers and ideological criminals got mighty rich and powerful off those wars. At the expense of tens of millions of White working Europeans. Europe's peoples have still not recovered from those two wars started by the backroom money barons they never even heard the names of.

[@pellaxestorba4836]

Would have far better if they had never been there to kill their fellowman in the first place! Those young idealistic and loyal European working men were groomed and lured to go into battle and kill their fellow working European men for nothing but the gain of their common enemy. Groomed and lured by the international oli.garchs who made trillions off the blood of more than TEN MILLIONS of best and brightest young healthy European men between the ages of 16 and 25. God has not forgotten the unrepented sins of the snake-barons!

[@pellaxestorba4836]

Would have been far better had they never been groomed and lured to go off to kill each other in the first place. Poor wretched young men. Their lives taken in the millions upon millions at the flower of their youth. Neither they nor their people won anything from it.

[@billyrock8305]

Excellent interviewer. Asks an intelligent question, shuts up and then listens to the answer. ✅ At 93 this hero and classy gentleman is laser sharp. He brings history of the Great War to real life. This man and his experience is priceless. Protect this interview like it is a treasure because it is. Bow with honour and respect to this great man. 🇮🇪 🇨🇦 🇬🇧.

[@D9Wx]

Like my grandad whos soon 93. So proud.

[@robertsinnerman7804]

Well said.

[@billyrock8305]

@@robertsinnerman7804 Thank you sir.

[@pursueweazmarecoverall486]

Over 70 years had passed by then, and still, he remembered everything.

[@markc3258]

Fairly sure Gaybo the interviewer. His dad was in wwi also . In the Calvary . So I’d say he was interested to know more about it all because of this .

[@calburke8893]

My generation truly doesn't know how lucky we are

[@fermageehamilton1402]

Different times, different circumstances, however I’m not so sure about how lucky . We have the potential to do great things in today’s world but still governments the world over are slowly and surely taking everything from us! And I mean EVERYTHING!

[@rivolinho]

Indeed. The horrors of working from home dont really compare!

[@chip9649]

The luckiest were the one born after ww2. It seems like another global war will occur

[@Goodser]

10,000 people died of TB in Ireland 1916, still didnt stop them.

[@Minime163]

And we cry about covid19. Makes me wonder what those men would think of us shower of keyboard wimps

[@ShellShock11C]

I was born the year this was filmed. I'm a veteran of Iraq, but thank God in heaven I never had to experience anything like WW1. Men of iron right there.

[@Canonfudder]

Actually - if you fought in iraq, you might have fought such man of iron. Lots of the veterans of the iran iraq war still alive there. The WW1 of the arab world. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran%E2%80%93Iraq_War

[@timmurrayy]

Thank you for your service.

[@outsidechambaz]

You're a solid man, thank you for serving

[@pboo2607]

Sadly they didn't know what a hell on earth they were getting into. Like he says at the beginning of the video, joining the army was a chance to see another part of the world. This was true for so many allied soldiers joining the army at that time. You even had whole groups of young lads joining up together because they thought it would be a great adventure.

[@ShellShock11C]

@@pboo2607 Thats why I joined too. Or at least one of the reasons. Was both the worst and best decision I ever made. Saw many different parts of the world, and climbed ancient ruins. But here I am now, 33 years old with nothing to show for it but alcoholism and post traumatic stress. I outlived my usefulness. A small part of me envies the guy who never came back. But thats just how life works I suppose. Im not the first to be in this position, and I wont be the last. I don't see it as good or bad. It simply "is". Neither negative nor positive.

[@johndocherty178]

Imagine how fast he spoke when was a young lad

[@leonflaithiuil6596]

He honestly speaks more fluent and articulate English than most young people in Dublin nowadays

[@midnightrunner684]

M.A.G.A

[@jamesbogacki4453]

Im American my Grandfather was there.3 purple hearts buried in a trench,gassed,shot in the head French gave him the their highest award to a foreign soldier.

[@d3vnull86]

for 11 minutes, I sat there and listened to every word with no distraction or allowance of distraction for the first time since the inception of KZbin. He deserved that much, and so much more.

[@Donalob]

It's an amazing piece of footage

[@blazeboyblazeboy4470]

Me too in reverance

[@codyconway5353]

Same. I rewound a couple of times, as well.

[@seanrobinson4798]

Same, total attention

[@paegan5476]

@frank lapidus what are you trying to say well??... a good slap you want and turn your cheek for another,, he's as Irish as can be you fool!....

[@erfansafaeian8906]

It’s crazy to think - this gentleman, when younger, would have interacted with older folk born in the early 1800s :O and we’re watching this in 2021…

[@Gallowglass7]

Yeah, it's mind blowing

[@2510LuL]

The american civil war was as recent at this mans birth as the vietnam war was for me when i born 99. That is absolutely mindblowing to me

[@Gallowglass7]

@@2510LuL Damn, good way of putting it mate

[@horatiohornblower4123]

@@2510LuL Gulf war

[@mikebevan1034]

What a world we live in. This wouldn't have been possible 100 years ago.

[@scottlawson1800]

When enemy soldiers reach a mutual agreement not to attack supply lines you know they are both in living hell

[@bigsteve6729]

Yeah it's hard to imagine coming to the realisation you're not at all different and still having to kill them anyway. Unless there is an invading force attacking our country I'd never join the army.

[@jugaloking69dope58]

@@bigsteve6729 i feel the same! heaven help you if you invade my country

[@Gallowglass7]

Indeed..

[@wopmf4345FxFDxdGaa20]

That was the thing in WW1, when there were railways behind the lines and troops moved still mainly by foot on the battlefield. That allowed large amount of troops to be moved very quickly behind the lines to where they were needed, but then actual movement on the field was slow. That's why the lines froze and neither side managed to get forward, as the opponent could always bring new troops and new equipment to the hot spot faster than you could get forward with yours.

[@rambi1072]

@@bigsteve6729 problem with that is the enemy can take over the entire continent then around you like in ww2. I think I would think about it in terms of whether the war is helping anyone at all, so obviously not some bullshit oil war in the middle east. but I suppose it would be very difficult to decide

[@forgottenknowledge8917]

My great-grandfather, Private McComb, fought in Ww1. He was a Roman Catholic, and his mother was from Ireland. 23 May 1916. Unit name - Anzac Cyclist Battalion, Reinforcement 3 AWM Embarkation Roll number 12/2/3 Embarkation details. Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A67 Orsova on 1 August 1916. He survived the war and passed away in December 1958. Buried in Hamilton, Victoria Australia. Rest easy Pops

[@eire3215]

R.I.P Mr McComb.....WW1 was on a diffrent level..I know all wars are bad but WW1 was vicious with chemical weapons..

[@michelles2299]

Bless him 🌹

[@sea_space]

What an incredible video. I cannot imagine the stress, trauma and pain those soldiers had to deal with. We are so lucky to live in the time that we do.

[@thewumpus6937]

I’m Irish so I’m proud.

[@mr.afrikaans1747]

Where are you from? I can never place your accent. Are you Cambrian?

[@freddyfagerstrm8561]

i was at first in lieb hussaren schutzen, a secret cavalry unit, im a reincarnated prussian ww1 veteran

[@harryherman5371]

Don't speak too soon :/

[@freddyfagerstrm8561]

@@harryherman5371 what do you mean?

[@GaiasFleas]

Has anyone noticed how vivid and detailed this guy's memory is as he recalls things that happened 74 years prior? It all must have been literally burned onto his brain.

[@chimmichurri6940]

PTSD is a very real thing man. Im just glad he was able to get help for it as opposed to our American Veterans Affairs where they get put on back burner.

[@unclebobs90]

Everytine that man closes his eyes he sees those boys. And that mud.

[@chickenwillie3785]

you'll notice this from many older people from ages past... they grew up with much more nutritious meat and produce and had very few microplastics + pesticides in their environment. Thus much less cognitive-degenerative diseases

[@iiCounted-op5jx]

@@unclebobs90 fr

[@faithofamustardseed8198]

@@chickenwillie3785 Amen. This is rarely stated, but is a massive factor.

[@Sock1122]

"without favour, affection, malice or ill will" Really hit me this finishing line. Can hardly think of a better way of putting it

[@Beregond1861]

Excatly.

[@LordVader1094]

@@salvationbygracethroughfaith The man just described his experiences in one of the most devastating wars in humanity's history and you act like it's a trivial thing to be hit by emotionally? Lol okay

[@piterpraker3399]

@@salvationbygracethroughfaith I'm in full agreement - though to op's defense, zombies are usually disinterested in genuine human experience. I don't think this is an example of that. And hey, don't let the masses wind you up - you're not alone in your eyerolling.

[@bloodyhell8201]

@@salvationbygracethroughfaith boohoo

[@destubae3271]

@UCy6LSPpzT5b73SxOjkXagFQ This is KZbin, not New York City, Deadass 🅱️

[@LaziUK]

I could listen to this man for months...they don't make them like that anymore. My humble utmost respect to you Jack

[@dr.octogan1656]

War makes them like that unfortunately. Wars are always on the horizon.

[@conallmartin1452]

they arent made now because the times of destitute they lived in, that is what creates these people, experience and genuine hardship

[@horace9341]

He had a persona that keeps people wanting more. Great respect 🫡

[@FlyDog79]

I love how he still says “Tommy’s” to describe the British troops and Jerry to describe the Germans. Best time on KZbin I’ve ever spent.

[@joevining2603]

Brings a whole new meaning to Tom and Jerry

[@FlyDog79]

@@joevining2603 haha exactly.

[@MattC-jg1yb]

Before it became Abdullah's and Jerome's. Take back your country ffs don't you see what's happening in the US?

[@RealRacingClubRRC]

@@MattC-jg1yb weirdo

[@Thinktank-rn6dm]

@@MattC-jg1yb oh, its one of you.

[@andyzunich5281]

“The lice ate the flesh of the living while the rats gorged themselves on the dead. It was just sheer punishment”. This generation experienced things I hope never are experienced again

[@luket1815]

You must live in wealthy country. The north koreans starve on their best day. And theyre having a bad time right now.

[@crispy2429]

@@luket1815 no one cares

[@luket1815]

@@crispy2429 Care or not, terrible suffering didnt end just because the world wars did.

[@enricofaa9302]

@@crispy2429 i love how someone can lay out their argument and people on the internet can reply with just “no lol”

[@Gallowglass7]

I hope any of you in the West don't think that these types of times couldn't come back, for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it's not a question of are you paranoid but are you paranoid enough?

[@inter-linked]

A privilege to hear this man speak.

[@nefmot]

I'm 54 now and i remember as a young lad in the 1970s there was an old guy that lived in our town in the middle of Ireland that used to sit on the bench in the main square and shake violently. Mr. Coss was his name. We didn't know what was wrong with him but he was suffering from shell shock from his time in British Army in WWI. He was a lovely man. Poor guy was left to suffer and deal with that on his own for 50+ years

[@adamdriver1016]

The story of the Irish who fought for the allies in both wars is one which isn't told enough. They should be remembered for their sacrifice. thank you Irish brothers from a grateful Brit.

[@adamdriver1016]

@G.I. Jew - American Hebrew What a strange comment, what are referring to?

[@adamwaugh3373]

@G.I. Jew - American Hebrew well that is very ungracious and untrue

[@Centnal]

@G.I. Jew - American Hebrew what an idiotic comment

[@jamesu1540]

@G.I. Jew - American Hebrew shows your own ignorance

[@jamesu1540]

@G.I. Jew - American Hebrew your truth doesnt hurt me, but your hypocrisy is amazing

[@thewinnertakesitall4384]

That was 11.24 minutes of my life that was worth every second . Utterly engrossing, what a man .

[@dougbrown6690]

I happily invested 22:48!

[@florjanbrudar692]

I won't regret watching this video, ever

[@iancarnaby3898]

I'm sharing it ,wow that was worth watch,best thing I've seen on KZbin

[@Ndlanding]

I was back there in the trenches, as he described it. What an incredible man.

[@SleepingGiant45]

Even at 93, he is still mentally so sharp and present. Its amazing.

[@rockhaze]

These guys grew up more... organically... than we do today.

[@toferg.8264]

In old books, the elderly are assumed wise. Today, we are slowly poisoned, & mistake it for the aging process.

[@UltimatelyEverything]

Very strong men and really hard working men they grew up in a completely different time to us.

[@cryptocsguy9282]

@@toferg.8264 Today we have Joe Biden

[@paulpillow7641]

The man's mental clarity, and memory are incredible.

[@MindTheDrift]

I’m amazed when asked about the rats attacking how quick his mind goes to being impressed gay mentioned it, had a story ready to go in detail, and said he thought many times how many “tommys” were actually killed by rat bites

[@aidankenny13]

There's a word for men like him, legends.

[@JohnSmith-ds7oi]

Useful idiots for government propaganda. "See the world". Yeah right. More like "Give up your life for Schlomo".

[@txmetalhead82xk]

Without a doubt

[@cerberus1321]

@@JohnSmith-ds7oi they weren't idiots. They were young men that wanted to travel and take advantage of the little opportunities they had. Joining the army was one of those few opportunities that offered more than life in a mine or shipyard hammering rivots. You sit there in complete comfort owing your freedom to men like this and call them idiots. He is very well spoken and having such a rational view on things shows his intelligence. Unlike your comment.

[@croissants1280]

@@cerberus1321 We don't owe our freedom to men like this. That's a banal statement. He was a child who got swept up in history. War is crazy. The victors decide on the history. You are 'free' because one side won. You would equally be 'free' if another side won.

[@cerberus1321]

@@croissants1280 tell that to the millions of victims of genocide throughout history that opposed a regime in the world. Oh wait you can't.

[@jamesengland2772]

This made me cry my grandfather was in the K.O.S..B at the Somme and Yrpes . He rarely spoke, did not like noise. Only time I saw him talk was with men his age playing dominoes I asked him once about the war and he said " Rich men start them , poor men fight and die in them. " .

[@huldaliljeblad3611]

I wish more people today would embrace the wisdom of your grandfather.

[@tavish4699]

same here only he was a german ....the only persons they speak with are the ones that were there themselves i like to call it old comrade syndrom

[@mediaisthevirus]

General Smedley butler, war is a racket

[@turkishboyMLT]

Wise words from a wise guy.

[@chipwilkes3866]

Absolutely True. AND the Military Industrial Complex as warned of by General of the U.S. Armies and former 2 time U.S. President Dwight David Eisenhower.

[@Eis4Electric]

"War is War, you kill or be killed." This gentleman summed up the hells of war perfectly. Because across all generations, war is terrible. No ifs, ands or buts. I'm so happy and glad that there is a record straight from the mouth of someone who served over a century ago, live and in the flesh so that way we can all hear it. So many of his buddies didn't survive, and this gentleman does a great service in honoring their memories by sharing his story. He was living proof of the experiences so many experienced during WW1. Written and recorded records of things like this are so important. For it's videos like this that keeps not only this man's legacy alive, but to keep alive actual testimony and witness from someone who served his country and lived to tell the tale. May this gentlemen, as well as all of those who served in both World Wars, rest in heavenly peace. 🙏

[@connorsealey24]

Kill or be killed is just obvious lol stop overthinking it

[@gabemore1766]

It’s also a reminder!

[@technomickdocumentalist2495]

@Conner sealey. Never mind saying don't over think it, you stop over simplifying it. "Kill or be killed " is a classic, hardcore expression from the hell of war, its a way to try and convey the situation a soldier is in, to people who have never had to be in themselves.

[@welshman8954]

It's actually a great crak don't forget that most of us join the army to do one thing and that's kill the enemy go to war and be a soldier or in my case a royal marine

[@The_Hairy_Hermit]

No the only thing that matters in war is the men next to you and the bonds you make with them that helps keep you alive and gives you hope. It is not about killing and no soldier goes in or has that mentality it is just an occupational hazard, the thing you are fighting for is the men who came with you facts.

[@michaels8297]

Every child and politician needs to hear this

[@michelles2299]

I agree

[@tommanserable]

That is one of the finest 11 minutes on KZbin

[@BrucknerMotet]

agreed.

[@deathfromabove2250]

I wish we had 11 more minutes of this interview. I wonder how much more there actually was of this interview and it was edited for television.

[@APersonOnYouTubeX]

Not the finest, the most truthful, nothing about war is good…not even survival or death. Death is self explanatory, Survival usually means u killed at least one innocent man (be it brainwashed or not)

[@cagdascevrim69]

Fucking incredible. Man, pure history from the mouth of a man with eyes and hands and ears and nose that smelled saw felt and held it all. 16 years old in the trenches.

[@odd-ysseusdoesstuff6347]

Yes. Verily. There were many a-cases that teens, as young as 14 fled home from Orphanages, Poverty-stricken homes, and kids envisioning war as a glorious endeavour went in the army. And since there was no National ID to identify and confirm their age, they just whisk them off to the front. This was stopped when concerned parents pressured their governments to look into this. This didn’t happen again in WW2.

[@ciarancassidy7566]

He would've been 19 at the outset of the war if the age and date in the title are right. I think it was that he was in the British army before the war started.

[@aoblak5110]

@@ciarancassidy7566 yes, I think you are correct. Sounds like he was a British Regular who joined the army at 16 a few years before WWI. I always wondered about the career soldiers who started the war before the volunteers showed up. Sounds like very passionate and brave men as fine a soldier as could ever been hoped for throughout history. So much respect for Jack.

[@pat442389]

@@odd-ysseusdoesstuff6347 Yes it did. In America plenty of guys lied about their ages in WW1 and WW2. Id even bet some did in Korea. Idk if by Vietnam they had better records but im sure there were cases of kids lying about their age, identity and so on to get into the army.

[@SZPWS1777]

The breadth of this man's recollection of events 70 years past, is astounding.

[@abbyrimmer1084]

It's haunted him his entire life

[@SZPWS1777]

@@abbyrimmer1084 Agreed.

[@eoinsmith1996]

I'd say those traumatic thoughts play in his head like a HD movie.

[@demorik6794]

I know I'd remember this horror's every detail for 700 years. Unfortunately.

[@equanimousawareness]

Replays in his mind constantly yet no remorse. Well conditioned soldier. Once the memories STOP playing and quiet mind appears, he's is for a rude awakening. Most likely in his death bed.

[@appbadder]

My Great-uncle, the first visit to his grave was in 2016, for 100 years he had no visitor, a renamed street was the clue to find him and we did. He was injured previously was allowed to go home for a week because it was Lent (Catholic Holiday) and he got married, he returned to the front to be injured again and die from his wounds. He was 21, joined the army in 1913. Don't give up searching for the soldier if you have one missing. Private John Kelly, 11298, 8th Bat., Royal Irish Fusiliers, died on Friday August 11, 1916 and is buried in Chocques Military Cemetery (Grave 1. J. 37), Pas de Calais, France. He was born in Dublin.

[@ThomasKelly669]

Lest we forget

[@LCFCV9]

Lest we forget lcfc winning the league in 2016 💙🦊​@ThomasKelly669

[@NiSiochainGanSaoirse]

LCFCV you hardly shone there son...

[@bravo2966]

All gave some, some gave all RIP

[@lesrthompson1510]

My great uncle l/cpl Thomas McCracken (Royal Scots) from Desertegney, Buncrana,Co Donegal was killed in November 1917 aged 36. Buried in Tynecot war Cemetery,Belgium.

[@turnupthesun81]

“Well, I thought I was going to see the world, but I damn near seen the second world, the other world.” What a great quote. How this guy still had a sense of humor in his 90s and after seeing everything he saw is beyond me.

[@ryanmulherin2682]

That's the Irish for you! My grandfather was full blood and served in three invasions during WW2, Africa, Italy, and France. Kept his humor even on his death bed.

[@Gallowglass7]

@@ryanmulherin2682 Likewise for my great grandfather who fought on the Somme

[@okee9]

@@ryanmulherin2682 A sense of humour is the best asset in those situations

[@dean8147]

@@ryanmulherin2682 Cant distinctively call it an Irish thing mate. It takes a special character like him to have this outlook. But I imagine the 70+ years he had after the trenches turned nightmares to humour. The best thing i've learned is to turn bad times into something to laugh at. He's just mastered this concept

[@Burgerklauer]

And here we are trying to save the third world

[@bigbossignition]

When a man like this speaks you damn well let him speak. He deserves every minute of time to share his experience of hell. I love that the interviewer didn’t rush him along.

[@BrucknerMotet]

correct on all counts. Love your blend of truth telling and concision. Kudos.

[@rowanmelton7643]

Couldn't agree more. They don't make men like this anymore. I'm blown away by how easily he speaks about the worst horrors man has ever known. I'm sure it took him a long time to come to grips with it

[@r66666678]

Can not explain how completely humbling this is listening to him.

[@johnhickman106]

He certainly doesn’t sound like he’s in his 90s in this interview. It’s good to see and hear these interviews of people that served over 100 years ago.

[@denierdev9723]

WW1 was closer to them in 1988 than WW2 is to us today :(

[@tommyoksanen471]

@@denierdev9723 ???? Its pretty close actually, although 70 years in 1988, and 76 today. Maybe do some maths before commenting? :D

[@af_125]

@@tommyoksanen471 Wow. No wonder you have no friends irl. WW1 was 70 years before 1988, and WW2 is currently 76 away. 76 > 70 anyway, so WW1 was closer to them then WW2 is to is today. Perhaps he meant the start of the respective wars? WW1 was 74 - WW2 is now 82 years ago? Come on let's not speak so arrogantly when we are wrong.. horse teeth narcissist.

[@wickedsickfunkyfreshroller2037]

@@tommyoksanen471 Who’s mans are you? You literally just confirmed his comment dumbass.

[@arigatuxful]

@@af_125 *closer to them THAN ww2,,,

[@francismceachern2406]

Thank you, Jack - from Canada 🇨🇦🇮🇪

[@CritterMunch]

“You kill them or they kill you. What the hell, it was just a game.”

[@A_Salted_Fishe]

I've watched/listened to quite a few WWI veteran interviews, it's always interesting to see their reactions to these sorts of questions, because they can vary quite a lot!

[@Acrylier]

Can't put the blame on them you know. They didn't ask to become murderers they were forced to.

[@vanillajack5925]

Been there myself, I don't blame the enemy either, they're just doing their job same as us.

[@Acrylier]

@Fella Truth Repeating what he said doesn't make you any more educated. He lost his brother, when he shouldn't have even been there in the first place because he was underage. Someone tricked him into believing he'd get to see the world, that's not war that's manipulation.

[@Acrylier]

@Fella Truth Both sides were christians forced to fight. Nobody wanted to be there, they had no choice. You really gonna dehumize them to 'theyre soldiers'

[@zeppelinfighter3281]

“Kill or be killed, there was nothing more than you can do.” Again, the fact and reality of war.

[@apollomars1678]

if you didnt noticed. it was a game, a wargame were his words as well....reality of perverting human honour in war.

[@taco2947]

That part was bad ass

[@blue24563]

‘Without favour, affection, malice or ill will’. We owe our world to these men.

[@Gallowglass7]

@@blue24563 Indeed.

[@christophercooper6731]

Not really. He had no obligation to take part. He was 16.

[@Jesse__H]

The interviewer did a good job allowing Mr. Campbell take the conversation wherever he wanted. He'd ask a question and Campbell would tell a story, then his next question wouldn't be to direct him back to the opening topic, but an encouraging question to simply get him to say more if he wanted. It felt like the right way to conduct an interview on a subject like this.

[@jonathanlynch8372]

Byrne was a master interviewer. It helped that he was also the producer so he never had his "producer" in his ear telling him to go to commercial. He had editorial "approval" so to speak so when an interview was going well then he would just let it all play out and give the interviewee all the time they needed if they were saying something, like in this case here, deeply fascinating and important.

[@jasonmurphy9173]

Gay byrne was the man, much respected here in Ireland

[@MichaelJ44]

Ah yes. Journalism. I miss it

[@silverbullet8338]

One of the best interviewers, anywhere . !!!

[@patty8849]

You're right, it's great just to sit and listen to the stories he tells. What I'd give to go back and have a beer with someone like that and just let him talk.

[@lappinzswizzy]

this man saw things that could turn a human insane, the audience laughing about the rats eating your food, they just dont understand what this man went through neither do we, nothing but respect for this gentlemen.

[@brendancarey-tb8eb]

Well you have to know aswell by his tone he was making a light joke out of what he's talking about, Irish deal tragedy with humour

[@NigerianCrusader]

He went through hell but trump went through a harder hell to bring you the country we all know and love today he deserves respect too no offence to our hero here

[@conallmartin1452]

@@NigerianCrusader you are a pathetic individual that just reads whatever is infront of you. PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE BACKGROUND NOT THE STUFF THEY SHOW YOU. my god you must be joking, you think rearing a idiotic country is as hard as trench fucking warfare. dont ever talk on war again with opinions like that you baffoon.

[@Suroundedbyenemies]

And for what? Germans are the most beautiful😢

[@redj1101]

@@NigerianCrusader what in the hell are you talking about

[@aspectratio6580]

This generation were just built different, truly an honour to stumble upon this video. RIP to all that fell and survived.

[@kierantierney3040]

They were built different because they had to be… we all have it in us trust me! Hard times create hard men

[@TrailerNerds]

Problems is that our generation had it all so easy, we got no idea what starvation or lack of freedom is and technology just makes is dumber and dumber, it will be hell in the future as most of the brilliant minds will dissapear leaving us with tik tokers....and other bullshit

[@josevillarreal9920]

@@TrailerNerds Not necessarily dumber, but definitely lazier. People used to respect hard work.

[@Shatter84]

I love how much people glorify the generations constantly engaged in world wars. I'm sure most of them would give a limb not to be part of that generation.

[@CaliWeHo]

Absolutely! They never wondered what gender they were! Our world has gone insane - and so weak.

[@Eshayzbra96]

His mind was very, very healthy at that age. Being in his late 80s/90s with an ability to communicate as if you were still in your 20s is a rare thing of people reaching his age group.

[@robertbrawley5048]

Are you sure? I don't think it rare at all

[@thomasvanwely]

I only feel a high amount of jealousy for this man, I am 26 and my speach is already impared.

[@LTPottenger]

@@robertbrawley5048 It's rare to be alive in your late 80s less than 10%

[@richardjones3792]

his mind is sharper and his speech more articulate than most people in their 20s, this generation is dumbed down because of social media and tictoc.

[@PaulB1111]

Probably avoided jabs, fluoride, chemicals in food all his life , we probably all be like that if everything we ate and drank was pure and untampered with

[@ian710]

An absolute gentleman, proper old school... they don't make them like that anymore.... as a proud irish man, it was an honour to listen to this man 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪

[@steviec8993]

You and me both mo dhearthair

[@irishaware]

Thank heavens most Irish today are not as naive and FOS as that naive simple old man. Motor mouth talking of Jerry! Pathetic old fool.

[@BigBoom92]

@@irishaware taking a very narrow view of the time he lived. When ww1 broke out most of Ireland supported the war. 235 thousand irish men fought and 35 thousand gave their lives for Britian. When the lads surrendered at the gpo they where meet with crowds spiting at them and throwing rotten veg. Looking back at what happen to Ireland since 1921. The bid for independence was a failure. Poverty, mass migration, catholic fascism and oligarchic rule with two political parties running the country for 100 years. The cherry on top was the craving out of the six counties and 100 years of hatred and murder.

[@christinenorden3726]

@@BigBoom92 Don't disagree but worth correcting to say that they gave their lives not for Britain but for Britain and Ireland.

[@christinenorden3726]

@@irishaware you'd be speaking German if it wasn't for the likes of him you pathetic young fool.

[@peterleigh7485]

From a UK veteran thank you and others Ireland veterans for your service

[@NewHandle_]

They didn't have much choice my friend

[@debhin]

​​@@NewHandle_ Conscription was never enforced in Ireland in ww1. Many men signed up willingly. Most were encouraged by the cause of home rule.

[@JagerScot-01]

@@NewHandle_ Chip on your shoulder mate?

[@Beepbeepbeepbe]

@@JagerScot-01probably a plastic paddy yank

[@XXXTENTAClON227]

@@NewHandle_ the fact that you believe this helps me understand Irish attitudes towards Britain in modern day

[@DjClarky78]

This man faced more hardship at the age of 16, than most (including me) will face in their whole lives. God Bless your Jack, and may you Rest In Peace. A Hero.

[@MsMesem]

As a woman now the men around me frighten me because they are for the most part so pathetic.

[@croissants1280]

@@MsMesem eh?

[@unknownbjj]

including me

[@siim605]

@@MsMesem If I said "most women are pathetic", you would never shut up about it and would call me a misogynist. Please don't make such blanket statements.

[@worldtraveler930]

What we should be concerned with is some dip shit wanting to pull down this man's monuments and disrespect his service to his country!

[@tomitstube]

wow, sharp as a tack, and brutally honest. what a man. and what a story, he remembers those times over 50 years ago like they were yesterday.

[@GA-mu2ob]

50 years? WW1 was 1914-1918, so more like 70+

[@tomitstube]

@@GA-mu2ob you're right, i'm clearly not as sharp as this fellow being interviewed, must have been thinking world war II when calculating.

[@thebathuman]

70+? More like 100+ ...

[@GA-mu2ob]

@@thebathuman No, I'm referring to when the interview took place.

[@thebathuman]

@@GA-mu2ob Oh yeah, that's completely fair, I'm even dumber than the first guy!

[@paulmorton3259]

Just today I spent 8 hours digging out a garden on the shovel, it didn’t get above freezing and there was a flurry of snow. It was the hardest days graft I’ve done all year, I turned to my labourer and said imagine doing that with bullets going across your head without thermals and food sustenance for months on end. They were a selfless generation, ignorant to the horrors that lay ahead yet never turned away throughout the duration. Be thankful this day for our freedom was bought with their blood

[@ddelaney712]

Notice he cuts any attempt by Gay off before Gay began? He's not actually being disrespectful, he just knows two things. One, the truth has to be told and preserved. No trying to sugercoat it. Two, he likes Gay, but Gay did not sweat or cry, or suffer or bleed beside this man, he owes Gay nothing, that's why he brooks no nonsense. He was among the last of that terrible time, his memory must have been haunted by the people who lived during this time. No, he owed Gay or anyone nothing, hence why at times he seems abrupt.

[@seandangercampbell]

It’s really quite staggering when you’re reminded of what hardships human beings are actually capable of overcoming. To properly acknowledge what they went through is to inoculate yourself against self-pity.

[@Xorthane]

@@seandangercampbell he hasn't gotten over it look at ww1 soldiers recovering from shell-shock after ww1 scary stuff

[@peterf46]

Perfectly put. Everything we complain about is nothing compared with his experience.

[@freetrailer4poor]

They were selfless. They were like you and I and did what they did to survive.

[@Salticidaee]

I could listen to that man all day

[@yaskhan2443]

This man was in his 90s and spoke like he was in his 20s. Hope this man is given the highest place in heaven ❤❤. Peace and love

[@hayyaananwar7856]

What does your name mean? It sounds cool

[@Snaakie83]

@@hayyaananwar7856 Khan is a title, usually for a lord or sultan. Yas means age.

[@yaskhan2443]

@Hayyaan Anwar @Snaakie you was right with my surname Khan. Its somewhat of a high title but my first name is Yaseen. Which means the heart of the Quran or the Prophet Muhammed PBUH

[@Kholdster]

Most 20 something's I know don't speak nearly as coherently as this dude did

[@yourenotwrong3511]

He is a traitor to his own land

[@dakotaparker4388]

Its such a disaster when men like this pass away. These stories need to be told.

[@MIKE-TYTHON]

It’s unfathomable to think of all the story’s lost to the past

[@TechnoviousYT]

@@MIKE-TYTHON Unfortunately, but thanks to the internet most of these heroes and their stories will never be forgetten, they're preserved for all the generations to know first hand the sacrifices these men made a very long time ago.

[@landryprichard6778]

@@TechnoviousYT Agreed. Thank God.

[@jerryjc5]

Amen!

[@allisnotwhatitseems.]

In schools globally

[@zen4men]

So many Irishmen served with honour, loyalty, and distinction.

[@leejames9422]

Correct. As did so many other nationalities..

[@pagola]

Africans did too but never get acknowledgment

[@zen4men]

@@pagola Age 64 now, I was aware at an early age of the long campaign carried out in Southern Africa in WW1, and the part played by African soldiers and porters - on both sides. ...... General Von Lettow-Vorbeck was the ONLY German general never defeated - an amazing achievement. ...... I also knew a British Colonel, who was seconded to The Royal West African Frontier Force, probably around WW2, and as I collected army badges, he very kindly gave me his officers cap badge. ...... I am also aware that the Rhodesian Army had many very well trained African soldiers. ...... So at least one person is reasonably well aware of Africans at war!

[@jonathanturek5846]

St Patrick's brigade .. John Reilly. 1850s Irish brigade 1861 ! Aye we proud of these Great Men !

[@DavidByrden1]

@@leejames9422 You don't understand. "Irish" was not a nationality at the time. Ireland was a region of the UK like Scotland.

[@kimberlyfrost4730]

The saddest part of his story is not how sharp he is after all that time, but in how long he has had to keep these horrid memories. 75 years+ to keep these memories. Don't know if I could ever be as strong.

[@GeorgeMorgan6600]

Hello there, how are you doing this blessed day?

[@Gallowglass7]

Indeed.

[@mjh5437]

93 years old and he`s more eloquent than most 23 year olds today.

[@jerryjc5]

By far.

[@FalloutFan2580]

I agree

[@CM-sc5we]

Yeah, the generation that raised today's 23 year olds really failed.

[@marckoolwijk2913]

No 23 year old ever, has been eloquent. Not on purpose anyway. It's not a generational thing, it is just age and circumstances.

[@kurtdewittphoto]

Society has been incredibly dumbed down since the time of this man.

[@John-pn4rt]

It's incredible he survived the war! He's got a Mons Star as an Old Contemptible so would have been at Le Cateau in 1914, Ypres in 1915, and the first day of the Somme in 1916!

[@alecrivera7746]

He shall not grow old

[@sonyavincent7450]

As we that are left grow old

[@jonathanmawdesley-thomas1863]

@@alecrivera7746 we shall remember them ,

[@annakermode6646]

Poor buggers.

[@bertiescunsbutch9323]

@Hippity Hoppity Age shall not weary them , nor the years condemn, at the going down of the sun,

[@stephenwalsh3490]

I'm Irish and proud but this guy had some balls love and respect for honesty

[@pullermatz5677]

So you are proud of something that you didnt Choose? It was random lmao

[@stephenwalsh3490]

@@pullermatz5677 just stick to the crack bud and have a shit life ya Muppet

[@someoneelse101]

I had a granduncle who lost the use of his arm in WW1. He died when I was very young and I've never heard never heard stories until now

[@JohnCenaFan6298]

@@pullermatz5677 u can be proud of something that u didn't choose. A father can be proud of his son for an accomplishment. It must be sad of you to think one can be proud/ have love/ or hope of another other than yourself

[@JohnCenaFan6298]

Im no longer proud but im irish. This country is a neoliberal hellhole

[@JenJams1]

Having something to live for makes you live long. Living through the war gave many men a sense of strong will and desire to continue life.

[@phill9283]

I’m a soldier, I have been for 42 years, listening to this gentleman is wonderful, he is the reason I joined the army, brave, proud and honest.

[@phill9283]

@ when you join find a job you really want to do, something you feel is a game rather than work, once the game starts becoming a job move on, the army is a huge employer with many different roles. I wish you luck with your chosen career.

[@robertstitches9517]

Eh... the guy is certainly as tough as they come, but the whole lesson from the video is surely the folly of war and how he(and millions of others) where essentially tricked into doing the bidding of the rich and powerful, used as pawns to fight a pointless and trivial war waged on grounds of hereditary rights and patronage Many millions never came home, they lay dead all over europe frozen and rotting, literal rat food as the kaiser and the kings tried to save face, war is folly and nothing was gained or proven true a perceived "victory" in 1918, the peace achieved was completely temporary thanks to the treaty of Versailles essentially inviting instability in central europe. In the coming decades, this "great war" merely became a petri dish to grow the most horrific event in human history WW2 In the pantheon of pointless wars WW1 is numero uno on the list

[@joseocasio7705]

@ good luck stay for as long as u can it will keep u sharp and unbreakable 👍😎

[@joseocasio7705]

@@robertstitches9517 agreed sir well written 👍

[@phill9283]

@Leo D'Arcy what’s it to you ?

[@rockyro777]

This is one of the best things I’ve ever seen on KZbin. I’ve never heard/seen an interview with a WW1 veteran before, it is absolutely incredible. RIP Sir, you were an utter hero.

[@coppersmiths]

I agree. When you first encounter them, it knocks you back doesn't it?

[@graxo3752]

The odd thing is that is hoe I feel about any soldier lost to war. Each was fighting its own battles. I just wish nobody had to experience war.

[@deathfromabove2250]

I didn't think much of it at the time, When I was in the first or second grade. So about 6 or 7 we held our veterans day assembly at school and all of our guest speakers were local WW1 veterans. This was roughly 1993. I really wish I paid more attention.

[@winsor68]

There is nothing heroic about war. Only victims. Including those who still think soldiers are heroes. We need to bury this silk culture. Heroes fight for all humanity not amongst us.

[@TheJonnyzeus]

Go to the bbc website for Great War Interviews. Chilling.

[@Crazy__Canuck]

We need to be very grateful that interviews like these exist because there aren't any WW1 veterans living today. EDIT: For the grammar Nazis. 👇👇

[@Yamezzzz]

Why are you quoting zero as if it's a conspiracy?

[@Nighthawk1066_]

@@Yamezzzz honestly I’d say he wanted to add emphasis to zero but used the wrong symbols

[@areyouavinalaff]

@@Nighthawk1066_ would that be the "wrong" symbols, or the wrong "symbols'?

[@kurkzzy]

@@areyouavinalaff *wtf are you saying*

[@MandenTV]

Humanity was a mistake.

[@steakmeal74]

An absolute legend of a man, like so many from that generation.

[@artseosamhogriobhta]

Hard folk. Different class to what we have today.

[@firebeard7]

"If a man ever tells you he went over the top and he wasn't scared, he's a damn liar'

[@davewolfy2906]

Or insane!

[@steveh1546]

Harry Patch

[@carlosmc7304]

“You kill or be killed... you don’t have remorse...” Thats the tragedy of war.

[@ottoswinebar]

That’s how your mind copes with it. If you had remorse, you’d crack and get “Shell Shock” Very sad

[@hannahdyson7129]

The remorse came latter ...

[@ProfShibe]

@@ottoswinebar "Copes" you say that as if he's wrong

[@p4th0gen]

@Stabswache Research (surveys) seem to indicate that PTSD has become worse in modern conflicts. Some researchers think it has to do with separation from battle buddies as with previous wars, troops tended to stay together with their units and get deployed and pulled back home together. Others think it might be a result of modern wars being more morally ambiguous due to how widespread information is. It was much easier to dehumanize an enemy as society was far more isolated. The other aspect is people back then were less likely to talk about any issues they had.

[@bigsteve6729]

@@p4th0gen I absolutely feel it's the latter one. You can literally watch videos of the normal people affected and killed by the actions of wars online, the next day after it happens. This would be really hard as a soldier to deal with, at least I think

[@MrJohnnyboyrebel]

My Canadian grandfather fought in the WWI trenches and this gentleman’s testimony gives me chills. Grampa Treble was hit by machine gun fire in his left arm, one bullet through his wrist, one through his forearm, and one through his bicep. Medical treatment back then wasn’t able to cope with some wounds, so the shattered bones healed on their own, making his left arm fairly useless. He used to tell me stories about the war, but often hesitated due to the memories being far too painful. My grampa , William Wellwood Treble, remains my hero to this day.

[@michaelhendrick6698]

respect

[@Jch833]

Glad you wrote his name for us to read. Respect to that great man.

[@seanwelsh7552]

That's amazing what a memory to hold. Sorry he had to go through what he did but what a hero

[@scarletcrusader5431]

What a treasure. R.I.P. Jack Campbell

[@keighlancoe5933]

My Great Grandfather survived the Somme and was sent home not long after. 2 months after coming home, he was working on the renovation of his local church in Tewkesbury where he fell off the scaffolding and died. Survived that absolute Hell, to then die from a fall, bloody tragic.

[@73reider]

Tragic, Thanks for sharing, But it doesn`t take away from the fact that your Great Grandfather was a great and admirable man, God bless him.

[@melsagelord3991]

And To think people are so scared these days they wear dirty cloth over their mouth and nose in the supermarket.

[@martinfarrell2204]

Cedric, Some of the men who were on the Shackleton expedition and escaped the Antarctic later died in the war within months of getting home. Like your great grandfather, its hard to believe what they survived only to die shortly afterwards

[@keighlancoe5933]

@@73reider gets even worse, I've been doing some research into my ancestry and I've just learned that his younger brother Richard was killed in 1914. So my G. G. Great Grandparents lost both of their children. I can't imagine how much of a bitter and soul destroying pill that would have been to lose one son in the war and then to have the other survive it but then die just after he comes home. I almost wish I didn't find that out actually, though I never knew them that made me feel a little bit sad.

[@mattmoy2000]

@@melsagelord3991 they did that in 1919 too...

[@TheAmericanDane]

It’s an honour just to listen to that gentleman. I served 4 years myself, I can’t begin to imagine what it would be like to live and fight in the trenches of WW1. As close to hell on Earth as there’s ever been I’d say.

[@qboxer]

These are the kinds of things that our lads today wearing the uniform should be watching. It puts things into perspective; Iraq and Afghanistan are both hard, but this was another level

[@charliegrimble5302]

Respect mate. Watching this interview there's times I can't help but get frustrated with the audience when they are laughing. It's hard to tell whether he is saying something to try and give it some comic effect or it's just the audience's reaction, like when he talks about eating food to prevent the rats getting it.

[@SlyBlu7]

The two most hellish battle positions I think to be, would be the trenches of WW1, or the gun deck of a wooden ship. It's that mixture of being walled in, with no safe alternative to go, plus the daily constant deprivation and disease.

[@jimmyrustler8983]

Big respect to you, pal. I often recall old stories of warfare back when it was hell on Earth. Like the French Knights in Agincourt, who sank in the mud under the weight of their armor. Imagine drowning in a sea of mud and corpses.....

[@williamfluit6198]

@@SlyBlu7 Its my understanding most sailors on the wooden ships didn't know how to swim. Kind of like being in a WW1 plane with no chute.

[@gerRule]

Me 12 minutes ago, I won’t watch all of this.... hung on every word

[@dylansharp3086]

Same here aye

[@phillallen8087]

Me too

[@vince6056]

Same

[@rogerbrandt6678]

Perfect me also

[@Kackspack0815]

Same.

[@dg2010ful]

93 and still remembers vivid details. Amazing. Glad they got this on film.

[@baddadjoker9570]

A true soldier. As a combat veteran of Afghanistan, I’ve still seen nothing compared to these men. There are things that stick with you for life. He seems to have a sense of humor about the whole affair. Many soldiers use humor as a coping mechanism. Just talk to any medic to find out. This man was in a war that took place before my grandparents were born, yet a good soldier is a good soldier. A good man is a good man. The same now as it was over 100 years ago. Much respect.

[@robertbaratheon2193]

Doesn’t mean that because they had it “worse” your own thoughts and ptsd doesn’t matter if you have any.

[@joprocter4573]

And still youth easily forget their hardship

[@mmblue3986]

Frighteningly, as you know the Nazis and Occultist Elites are again attacking humanity with a vengeance. And this time not only in Wars..but as rats inside every Corporation, School, Media, Religion, Organization, Government, etc, in every Country under the umbrella of the World Economic Forum. Its absolute madness. 😢 I somehow woke up from a dream…either in the wrong dimension or in the end times. I Sincerely want to Thank you ❤. A good Man is a good Man..and Men who have fought evil…stand with the Angles of God.

[@pasofino9583]

Taliban won

[@erlanggaprasetyo1606]

And you are no hero buddy. You're heathen, animalistic heathen. You killed poor people in their own land. Shame on you. Those capitalist a hole who sent you there are the most lowest piece of crap this earth ever known. May you rot in hell.

[@bag3lmonst3r72]

This legend served in the army when the whole of Ireland was still part of the United Kingdom. He was born one year after Nicholas II became Tsar - and he outlived the Soviet Union, dying in 1992. Mind-blowing.

[@stevieflax]

My Grandpa fought in WW1. He never spoke of the horrors of it, but then he was always a quiet man. He sang a French song he learned over there, something about a Madam Moselle Parlay Vu, the time I asked about him about that war. I think he wanted to put it all behind him. He loved to fish and so did I, so that is what we did together. He lived until 94, still had his wits about him and he caught the biggest fish on our last fishing trip. About an 8 pound Northern Pike. I share this account, as a look into the different ways soldiers of that War, dealt with it. Jack could recall it as if it only happened yesterday, whereas, my Grandpa chose not to think of it.

[@alistairkat4217]

Could the song your grandfather told you about perhaps be 'Mademoiselle from Armentières' (also known as 'Hinky-Dinky Parlez-Vous')? I believe it's a WW1 song with both French and English versions which can be found on KZbin as well.

[@drrockkso8882]

My grandpa fought in WWII and was part of the D-Day invasions but he never talked about it with anyone in his family. It was the one experience in his life he just refused to describe because of how horrible it was.

[@stevieflax]

@@alistairkat4217 Yes that must be the one, he must have sang the French version, as I could not make out what he was singing about. On occasion, he also played ragtime piano.

[@stevieflax]

@@drrockkso8882 He was in very horrifying battle, I understand his reasoning.

[@danimayb]

@@alistairkat4217 There was an old man of 92 parlez vous, There was an man of 92 parlez vous, There was an old man of 92 done a fart and off it blew, hinky dinky parlez vous. The fart went rolling down the street parlez vous, The fart went rolling down the street parlez vous, The fart went rolling down the street knocked a copper off his feet, hinky dinky parlez vous. The copper got up and blew his whistle parlez vous, The copper got up and blew his whistle parlez vous, The copper got up and blew his whistle blew the fart from here to Bristol, hinky dinky parlez vous. That's a version I remember as a kid 😂

[@neil96]

What an incredible human being this gentleman was ! Lest we forget

[@dad4ever-c90]

This is absolutely horrifying and beyond the realm of most peoples' imagination. Yet he is able to describe the events in detail, without becoming emotional. And he harbors no animosity toward his (former) enemy. His mind must possess extraordinary coping mechanisms.

[@mynameisawesomeman]

no he is just not a baby like most folks today

[@Cyan37]

@@mynameisawesomeman While I agree that some people are oversensitive today, I'm sure it was hard for him to cope with what he experienced right after the war. It was hard for everyone, same for veterans of WWII. That's just normal. And if some people were not phased by events like this, they were most likely psychopaths or sociopaths. But time heals wounds and that is probably why he can talk about it freely now.

[@SneilYman]

@@Cyan37 Well said.

[@HawkFan30]

He had had a while to process the whole thing. He is 1 in a million I suspect. God bless that man

[@chrisburns5691]

my grandpa fought in ww2 (He was British) and he had no animosity either for the average german soldier/sailor.

[@constantdoodle32]

He talks about all this horrific stuff like he’s remembering his days in high school or something. One tough dude

[@ttblildevil]

American high schools have the same amount of shooting

[@constantdoodle32]

@@ttblildevil lmao come on dude...

[@vanartin]

There are very few men like him around nowadays

[@jackspring7709]

All that generation were like that: I still remember relatives of mine from both sides from that generation growing up in Ireland - I didn't even know that many of them had fought in Ireland's War of Independence until long after they had passed because they never talked about it: they were very tough people. It was a privilege to have known them.

[@OllieGrigg]

@@vanartin real war was being fought on home soil for the Irish though

[@The_man_himself_67]

2020.....I'm having mental health problems as I can't go down the pub. 1914.....this! Respect to this old boy and his generation!

[@johnclarkeboy3643]

Exactly

[@versastyle5007]

You nailed it. His generation sacrificed all to to fight the forces of tyranny and oppression to preserve our freedoms! Our generation gives up our freedoms because there's a chance we might get sick

[@kaminachos5129]

@@versastyle5007 the point is to protect vulnerable people, mainly from those older generations.

[@versastyle5007]

@@kaminachos5129 so is someone is vulnerable, you can have your freedoms taken away from you? To me that seems a lot scarier than a virus

[@freespirit906]

1914...digging trenches under fire;the risk of rats biting you;dealing with lice and watching the men you fight with die 2021....I identify as as mayonnaise and I want to use this particular toilet This old fella amazes me bless him

[@seanmcgabriel207]

I found this by accident.. This interviews worth transcends the questions surrounding WW1 and its futility. Mr Campbell's lucid recollection of his personal experiences permits a rare glimpse into the past. I was impressed by his polite side stepping of Gay Byrne's invitation to sum it all up as "senseless" by his reference instead to "loyalty", I suspect Mr Campbell, very aware he was a survivor, did not wish to break loyalty with his many dead comrades by dismissing their deaths as meaningless or pointless. This I found impressive, and quietly moving.

[@Garrett1240]

Didn't think of that initially. Great read.